SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED BY RESUMPTION OF FIGHTING IN MOGADISHU, CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE, UNCONDITIONAL CEASEFIRE

Secretary-General concerned by resumption of fighting in Mogadishu,

Calls for immediate, unconditional ceasefire

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is gravely concerned at the resumption of fighting in Mogadishu between warring militias belonging to the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism and those of the Sharia Courts. He deplores the loss of life and suffering caused by the renewed violence. The Secretary-General calls on both sides to enter into an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as appealed for by the people of Mogadishu, clan leaders, and the international community, including his Special Representative for Somalia.

The Secretary-General urges the parties to step up efforts to find solutions to the conflict within the framework of the Transitional Federal Charter. He also calls on all sides to respect international humanitarian and human rights law, ensure humanitarian access to populations in need, and ensure the protection of humanitarian workers.

Search

Daily Noon Briefing

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq today urged armed forces in Tikrit to avoid civilian casualties. He called on the Government and the international community to ensure delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid and the return to their homes of people who fled ISIL.